westenize

Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To cause (a person, group, or culture) to adopt Western customs, values, or practices: "westernize" refers to the process of making something more like the societies of Western Europe or North America, especially in terms of social, political, or economic systems.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Many countries in the 20th century were pressured to westernize their economies. (To adopt Western economic structures.)
  • The film was criticized for trying to westernize traditional Asian storytelling. (To impose Western narrative styles.)

Advanced Usage

• "to westernize rapidly": to quickly adopt Western traits.
  • After the war, Japan began to westernize rapidly, embracing Western technology and fashion. (Japan quickly adopted Western elements.)

Variants and Related Words

• Westernization (noun): the process of adopting Western customs.
  • The westernization of the country led to significant cultural changes. (The process of becoming more Western.)
• Westernized (adjective): having adopted Western traits.
  • The city's architecture is highly westernized, with skyscrapers and fast-food chains. (The city looks more Western.)

Synonyms

• Modernize: to update or adapt to current trends (often associated with Western models).
• Occidentalize: a more formal synonym meaning to make Western in character.

Phrasal Verbs

• Westernize over time: to gradually become more Western.
  • Traditional customs have westernized over time due to global media. (Customs have changed slowly.)

Related Idioms

• Go Western: an informal phrase meaning to adopt Western lifestyles or attitudes.
  • The restaurant decided to go Western by serving burgers and fries. (The restaurant adopted Western food.)

Note: The target word is "westernize" (spelled with a 'w'), not "westenize". The provided reference definition uses "westenize" (an uncommon variant), but standard English uses "westernize".